Winners revealed of annual South Downs photo competition

With a theme of “New perspective”, entries included images of autumn meeting winter, a cute duckling and a misty landscape.

“Snow on Wolstonbury”, by Matt Goddard, took the top spot in the contest, which attracted a record 522 entries this year.

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The judges, award-winning photographers Rachael Talibart, Finn Hopson, and Carlotta Luke, Outdoor Photography Deputy Editor Claire Blow, as well as Vanessa Rowlands, chair of the National Park Authority, agreed that the contrast between the seasons resulted in a photo which captured the beauty of a winter woodland.

Pollinator and bluebells at Wyck SSSI in Hampshire (Image: Sarah Womersley)Carlotta said: “It’s a new perspective having the snow on the autumn leaves and the complete contrast. The shape of the path is drawing me into the photo and I just want to be there in that snowy South Downs landscape. The orange leaves are just beautiful on the white snow.”

The shot was taken at Wolstonbury in West Sussex. Picking up a prize of £250, Matt, of Hurstpierpoint, said: “My love of exploring the South Downs started during childhood and hasn't stopped since. Sussex is blessed to have the National Park's rich history, varied landscape, and stunning views. Capturing and sharing its beauty has played a big part in my career and enjoyment of landscape photography.”

Runners up in the competition included “Kingston Ridge” by James Ratchford, showing the crisscrossing hills near Lewes and a flock of gulls flying overhead, and “Wiggle Wondering” by Ian Brierley, who captured a springtime shot of Wildhams Wood, near Chichester.

Kingston Ridge near Lewes (Image: James Ratchford)Winning the competition’s wildlife category was “Duckling amongst the crowsfoot”, by David Jeffery, who captured the shot at Steyning Upper Pond.

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David, of Portslade, who won £75, said: “It's always a welcome surprise winning a competition and it makes all the graft worth it. I was practically laying in the pond to get this shot of a particularly curious duckling from eye level. I love how the crowsfoot surrounds the duckling front to back in the image.”

Duckling amongst the crowsfoot at Steyning (Image: David Jeffery)All the winning and commended images, as well as other shortlisted images, will now be put forward to the People’s Choice.

Members of the public will be able to vote online from Monday, January 15 for their favourite photograph and the winning photographer will receive £75.

The online poll closes at midnight on Wednesday, January 31.